OXFORD — Veteran short track star Ricky Rolfe has been on the outside looking in when it comes to Victory Lane in 2010. The former champion is battling cancer this season, getting weekly chemo treatments on Mondays so he can feel well enough to race on Saturdays.

After a best finish of second earlier this season, Rolfe finally broke the slump, taking the lead from Nick Brown on lap seven and driving away to victory in the Late Model feature Saturday night at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Vannah Brackett, David Childs, Danny Morris and Kurt Hewins were also feature winners. Fans were also treated to no less than four vintage races to kick off the program, with Neil Martin (Vintage Late Models); Terry Houston (Vintage Outlaws); Rick McDowell (Star Tour Outlaw Feature); and Vito Colenari (Star Tour Modified Feature).

Prior to the first green flag, speedway owner Bill Ryan made a special presentation on the start/finish line. As past of the track’s 60th anniversaary celebration, the press box was officially dedicated and named after a man who was a big part of Oxford’s rich history. Bob Walker was on hand to accept the award from Ryan. Walker was a fixture at Oxford starting in the 1960s, serving as Communications Director and PA announcer for more than one owner.  

In the Late Model trophy dash, Nick Brown led the first six circuits before Rolfe took over the point. Caution came out three times, frustrating Rolfe as his big lead evaporated. Yet after the final incident was cleaned up, it was the former champion who prevailed. Jeff White made a thrilling late-race charge to contend for the win, but came up short, while Timmy Brackett finished third. Oxford veterans Donnie Wentworth and Corey Morgan rounded out the top five.

“This win is for my crew,” said an obviously angry Rolfe in Victory Lane. “After the 26 car (Morgan) pulled another bonehead move like he does about every week, we had to fix the car for no reason. I think we made it even faster, which is great. It just feels good to finally be back up here.”

Finishing sixth through 10th were Scott Luce, Shawn Martin, Billy Childs, Jeff Taylor and Ben Ashline. After the final caution at lap 29, the race went green to the finish.   

In earlier feature action, Brackett found room underneath early leader Missy Morgan going into turn 1 on lap six and pulled easily away to her fourth consecutive Ladies division victory. The Buckfield driver is on a tear in 2010, but her competition is working overtime to run her down. Morgan hung on for second, while Tori Burgess was third. Deanna Robertson and defending class champion Dottie Patria completed the top five.  

Childs used the outside groove to his advantage, passing Chris Burgess on lap 16 and hanging on for top honors in the 20-lap Outlaw battle. Burgess led two laps and battled right to the end but settled for second, while Guy Childs Sr. came home third. Addison Bowie and Pat Maloy rounded out the top five. Three cautions slowed the pace, the worst of which involved Zach Bowie, who slammed the outside retaining wall on lap 13. Bowie was slightly shaken, but not injured.

Morris used the tricky inside line to his advantage and held off a hard-charging Darrell Moore to capture an intense Mini Stock feature. The Auburn driver battled side-by-side with Ashley Marshall for much of the race before sealing the win in the closing laps. Moore came from 12th on the grid for second, while Marshall hung on for third. Calvin Rose finished a distant fourth, while early leader Matt Moore completed the top five.

“We’ve fought some mechanical issues all year long,” said Morris, who’s previous best finish in 2010 was a third. “Last week we had kind of a stupid issue pop up, but no more worries about that. Everybody on the team works so hard to make this happen, my father Ron, my brother Chris and a host of others. It’s my father’s 60th birthday today, this trophy is going right to him.”

Hewins has been the man to beat in Strictly Stock, and Saturday night was no different. The Leeds driver started ninth,  passed Gene Hatch on lap 11 and pulled away to his fifth straight victory. Hatch has tried all season to defeat Hewins but settled for second again, while Matt Williams was third. David Vaughn piloted Skip Tripp’s No. 12 machine to fourth (Tripp has been suspended for two weeks),  while former champion Larry Emerson rounded out the top five.

“Our goal is 10 in a row, but I don’t think we’ll make it,” Hewins said. “There’s bound to be problems at some point, a flat tire, something. But this car is so perfect right now I think a kid could win with it. We maintain it well, and it’s paying off on Saturday nights.”